Page 16 of The Broken Hearts Club

I muttered, “I don’t have a type,” as I turned my back to the field.

“When was the last time you saw him?”

“Eleven months ago. He was supposed to stay away while I was packing my stuff, but he came home just as I was leaving with the last box.”

“Did he say anything?”

“He asked if I wanted to come inside so we could talk, and I told him to go fuck himself.”

Collie nodded. “Good.”

“I know you’re probably thinking about bailing,” Daria said, “but those D-bags are going to cream us if you’re not pitching.”

I exhaled slowly as I took off my baseball cap, brushed my hair back, and put the cap on again. Then I straightened my posture and said, “That was jarring, because he’s the last person I expected to see today. But I’m not going to run and hide.”

Collie asked me, “How do you want to play this?”

“What do you mean?”

“I know I’m not exactly Captain America like Bruce’s boyfriend, but I’m more than happy to act all lovey-dovey if you want to try to make him jealous.”

I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t sell yourself short, Collie. You’re gorgeous, and we should absolutely pretend we’re a couple. In fact, let’s lay it on thick.” Not that my ex cared enough about me to be jealous, but there was a lot to be said for making him think I’d moved on.

My friend was grinning as she watched this conversation. She’d been trying to encourage me to get back out there and start dating again, and I knew she was going to have a lot of questions about Collie and me. But they’d have to wait, because one of my teammates shouted, “Gather around, Dodgers!”

Daria threaded her long ponytail though the back of her baseball cap and exclaimed, “Let’s kill those fuckers!” She was more than a little competitive.

As she hurried on ahead, Collie asked, “Would it hurt your bad shoulder if I hopped on for a piggyback ride?”

“Nope. Go for it.”

He leapt onto my back, and I held him up with my hands under his thighs, while he draped his arms around my shoulders. As we crossed the field, he asked, “Are you okay? It must be weird seeing him after all this time.”

“I feel numb.”

“It’s good we’ll be throwing axes later. You can picture Bruce’s giant blond head as the target.” That sounded pretty satisfying.

I avoided looking in Bruce’s direction as I carried Collie to the bleachers. Once I put him down, I unpacked my mitt and one of the water bottles. Then I handed him the backpack and told him, “I packed water and some snacks for you.”

He seemed genuinely delighted. “That’s so nice! Thanks, Miller.” Then he glanced past me and whispered, “Your ex is on his way over here.”

Collie gave me a hug, and I wrapped my arms around him and rested my cheek against his hair. This felt really good. I shut my eyes and let myself enjoy it for a few moments.

That good feeling ended abruptly when a deep voice behind me said, “Hello, Miller.”

I turned around and feigned surprise. “Oh. Hi, Bruce.”

“How’ve you been?”

“Great.”

“Glad to hear it. I⁠—”

“Sorry, no time to chat. The game’s about to start.” I turned back to Collie and kissed his forehead before telling him, “See you soon, cutie.”

He flashed me a flirtatious smile. “I’ll miss you, hot stuff.”

As I walked away, I heard my ex tell Collie, “I’m Bruce McIntyre.”